Flying squirrel

Flying squirrel
Squirrel Squir"rel (skw[~e]r"r[e^]l or skw[i^]r"-; 277), n. [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. ['e]cureuil, LL. squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr. si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. {Shine}, v. i.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus {Sciurus} and several allied genera of the family {Sciurid[ae]}. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows. [1913 Webster]

Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel ({Sciurus Carolinensis}) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, squirrel ({Sciurus cinereus}, or {Sciurus niger}) which is a large species, and variable in color, the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see {Chickaree}); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see {Chipmunk}); and the California gray squirrel ({Sciurus fossor}). Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European species ({Sciurus vulgaris}) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. The so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See {Petaurist}, and {Phalanger}. [1913 Webster]

2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. [1913 Webster]

{Barking squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), the prairie dog.

{Federation squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), the striped gopher. See {Gopher}, 2.

{Flying squirrel} (Zo["o]l.). See {Flying squirrel}, in the Vocabulary.

{Java squirrel}. (Zo["o]l.). See {Jelerang}.

{Squirrel corn} (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicentra Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers.

{Squirrel cup} (Bot.), the blossom of the {Hepatica triloba}, a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring.

{Squirrel fish}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A sea bass ({Serranus fascicularis}) of the Southern United States. (b) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus rhomboides}). (c) The redmouth, or grunt. (d) A market fish of Bermuda ({Holocentrum Ascensione}).

{Squirrel grass} (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly awned spikelets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death.

{Squirrel hake} (Zo["o]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis tenuis}); -- called also {white hake}.

{Squirrel hawk} (Zo["o]l.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species {Archibuteo ferrugineus}.

{Squirrel monkey}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus {Callithrix}. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See {Teetee}. (b) A marmoset.

{Squirrel petaurus} (Zo["o]l.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See {Phalanger}, {Petaurist}, and {Flying phalanger} under {Flying}.

{Squirrel shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus {Tupaia}. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel.

{Squirrel-tail grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Hordeum jubatum}) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Flying squirrel — Flying Fly ing, a. [From {Fly}, v. i.] Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or rapidly; intended for rapid movement. [1913 Webster] {Flying army} (Mil.) a body of cavalry and infantry, kept in motion, to cover its own… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flying squirrel — Flying Fly ing, a. [From {Fly}, v. i.] Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or rapidly; intended for rapid movement. [1913 Webster] {Flying army} (Mil.) a body of cavalry and infantry, kept in motion, to cover its own… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Flying squirrel — Fly ing squir rel (? or ?). (Zo[ o]l.) One of a group of squirrels, of the genus {Glaucomys} (formerly {Pteromus} and {Sciuropterus} [1913 Webster]), especially {Glaucomys volans} and {Glaucomys sabrinus}, having parachute like folds of skin… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flying squirrel — ☆ flying squirrel n. 1. any of a number of squirrels (esp. genus Glaucomys) with winglike folds of skin attached to the legs and body, which enable them to make long, gliding leaps 2. FLYING PHALANGER …   English World dictionary

  • Flying squirrel — Taxobox name =flying squirrels fossil range = Early Oligocene Recent image width = 250px image caption = Northern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus ) regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata subphylum = Vertebrata classis = Mammalia ordo = Rodentia …   Wikipedia

  • flying squirrel — any of various nocturnal tree squirrels, as Glaucomys volans, of the eastern U.S., having folds of skin connecting the fore and hind legs, permitting long, gliding leaps. [1605 15] * * * Any member of two distinct groups of rodents that are able… …   Universalium

  • flying squirrel typhus — flying squirrel–associated typhus an acute infectious disease occurring in the southeastern United States, particularly during the winter months, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, which is transmitted to humans by the fleas and lice of the… …   Medical dictionary

  • flying squirrel — squirrel that can glide through the air due to winglike folds of skin between its front and hind legs …   English contemporary dictionary

  • flying squirrel — noun nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute like folds of skin along the sides of the body • Syn: ↑flying phalanger, ↑flying opossum • Hypernyms: ↑phalanger, ↑opossum, ↑possum • Hyponyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • flying squirrel — noun a squirrel that has skin joining the fore and hindlimbs for gliding from tree to tree. [Many species, chiefly in subfamily Pteromyinae.] …   English new terms dictionary

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